Sectional sliding door



E. WQv GOODWIN SECTIOAL SLIDING DOOR pri 3 1945.

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Apffl 1, 1940 Wanne @www MN. mi

April 3, i945. E. w. GOODWIN' SECTIONAL SLIDING DOOR Filed April l, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 3, 1945. E. w. GOODWIN SECTIONAL SLIDING DOOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed JApril 1, 1940 47W 4f. .aq/M,

354,3 maw/1,

providing a flexible .beit possingfnorizontany around and extendingvalorlg both sides of each Patented Apr. 3, 19.45

i lUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE sncrroNAL sumNG noon Eugene w.- Goodwin, Bethesda, Ma. Application AApril l, 1940, Serial No. 327,299 s claims. `(ci. zes- 51) This invention relates to'slidi'ng doors for garages, vairplane hangars, and the like, in which a relatively wide door opening is tobe closed, and

more particularly to compound sliding doors of the type comprising a plurality of relatively movable interconnected sections lor ypanels disposed in .parallel overlapping relation.

Instructures of this kind; the doors are frequently large, and 'to properly withstand the wind pressures and otherl forces imposed upon them..

they must be strongly constructed; however, to savespace, an effort is usually made to build the doors as thin as practicable, which results in large,lv thin doors of great weight.

. When such a door is moved, the velocity of the wind, the condition of the supporting track. and thepossibility that some of the door panels may that the'pulley extends transversely through the panelitself, leaving the extreme leading edge of the panel entirely free and unobstructed, and placing the pulleys in a position which adords protection from injury and weather.

A further object is to prevent the deterioration of the interconnections such as would be caused by exposure and weather. the formation of ice on moving parts, and the possibility of damage due to being struck by objects passing through the door opening, and to this end I pro vide means to conceal and shield the interconnections so that they will not 'be exposed on the outside surfaces of the door.

A still further 'obiectof the invention is to devise improved means for maintaining the tension 1 of the belts and for absorbing shocks due to the be frozen one to another, mayrequire the application `of considerable force, and, to operate succ'essfully', the interconnections between the sevtions orgpanels -move simultaneously when power -eral' panels of the door must be'substantial." In

one such interconnected system, all vof the secis applied to any one, the panels, however, u iov-` ingy over progressively increasing distances and at progressively increasing speeds, from one end of the series to the other. This is accomplished -by door section, this belt runningifreelv around pulleys and beingjanchored to at either side thereof. l

In an interconnection of ths type, `and for the y reasons stated, the cables must be strong and ot substantial diameter, and this makes it desirable to use pulleys as large as possible in order to insure proper operation and long life .of the cables.

dorvpanels as close together asvwill permit their proper operation and sealing against the weather,

it is necessary to keep the runs oi' cable close to the sides of the door panel.

' be made of a ,diameter substantially greater the. thickness or the door panel-while maintainingpthe runs of. the cable closeto the surfaces mirthcr, in my improyd construction, I mount .'theiaullrs `adi'iloent theieoomgeage or themat apoint inwardly from suchedge,

theLsections or panelsv sudden starting or stopping `of one panel relative to another.

The invention also contemplates improved means for detachably connecting the cables to the door panels so that any individual panel may be readily disconnected i-f desired.

In order that the invention may be readily uri- .-derstood, reference is had to the'accompanylng drawingsfforming part of this specification, and

in whichz' Fig. l is anelevation of a set of four door panels constructed in accordance with the invention, the door panels being viewed from the outside of the' building;

- Also; because of the desirability ofpiacing the Fig. 2 is a conventional planview of the door panels shown in Fig. 1, parts being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a front edge elevation, on an enlarged scale.. ofthe four door panels shown in Fig. l, parts being brokenaway;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of one of the pulleys and supporting brackets em..

. ployed at the rear or trailing edge of th'e door Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation on a similar scale, of the forward or leading edge of one of the door panels, showing the pulley mounted therein, parts beingbroken away and parts shown in dotted lines;

' Fig. 6 is an 'edge view of the pulley shown in Fig. 5, together with the supporting means therefor;

Fig. rl is a sideelevation of my improved-belt coupling and anchoring means, parts being shown in section; and

Fig. 8 is-an end view oi the parts'. shown in FIC. 7.

Referring to the afdwingen detail,- there" is illustratedaportion of.abuiidinglthavingii doorway formedv therein, across which doorway extends a pavement B of concrete or the like. In this pavement are set a plurality of rails or tracks C shown in' Fig. 3 as comprising railroad rails embedded in the concrete B vup to their heads. On these rails run the several door panels, as

hereinafter described. At the top of the door- I way and supported on suitable /frame members such as I-beams D, are a plurality of spaced guide rails E, shown in Fig. 3 as consisting of angle irons welded to the I-beams. Associated with the guide rails E are one or more rigid stops F (Fig. 'y

. panels may be employed. In the drawings, I

have shown, by way'of example, four such panels and have designated them by the numbers I, 2, 3 and in Figs. l, 2 and 3, the numeral I designating the door panel nearest the wall at one side of the doorway.

Each door panel itself may be of any desired construction and is illustrated in the drawings more or less conventionally. Each panel will comprise a suitable framework, preferably made of structural steel and including a channel iron 5 at it's front or leading edge and a similar channel iron 6 at its rear or trailing edge. The framework is covered on the outside of the door panel with a suitable skin 'I of. sheet steel or the like, the framework on the inside of the panel such rails.

Each panel is provided at its bottom edge with two or more flanged supporting rollers Ill (see Fig. 3), adapted to rest upon and engagethe track rails C. Thus the panels may roll freely on the rails C and are held in position at the top by the guide rollers 8. l -A pair o belt pulleys is mountedon each door panel at a point between the upper and lower edges thereof. One of these pulleys, designated II, k-is disposed adjacent vbut just inside of thev leading edge of the door', while the other pulley. designated 12,' is spaced rearwardly from the trailing edge of the pnel and is mounted in a bracket secured to such edge.

4As pointed out in the preamble, an important feature of the present' invention consists insetting these pulleys Il and I2 in a common'plane which is disposed at an acute angle or inclined to the plane of the panel. Thus, in Fig'. 3, the

pulleys are shown as disposed at an angle of apthanthe thickness of the door panels, and the nearer the plane of the pulleys approaches the verticaLthe larger can the pulleys be made.

A exible endlessbelt I3 extends around the pulleys oi each panel, one run of this belt heim' rails E so that they may run freely between 4d 30 tothe channel iron 6. Adjacent this channel disposed on each side of the panel, and the runs on opposite sides of the panel lying in different horizontal planes. The belt is shown as made of a wire cable, and it will be noted that the extra large size of the pulleys. made possible by their angular arrangement, eliminates sharp bends and results in subjecting the cables to only such moderate flexing as'they can readily withstand.' In this way, it is possible to use a cable-of suiicient strength and stiffness to operate the larger sizes of doors without undue wear or deterioration.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, I have illustrated in detail one method of supporting the pulleys II adjacent the front or leading edge of the door panels. These pulleys are supported upon a pair of spaced parallel, rods I4 on which freely slides a frame comprising a pair of crossheads I5 and a pair of spaced side members I6. The shaft Il of the pulley II is mounted in these side members I6, as shown in Fig. 6. Movably mounted on the inner ends of the rods Ill is a third cross-bar I9, having a central opening through which slides a tail piece I8, carried by the frame I5, IE, and interposed between this frame and the cross-piece I9, and surrounding the tail piece I8, is a short stii helical spring 2|.. tension on this spring may be adjusted by turning up the nuts 2B working on the threaded ends of the rods Id.

The opposite ends of these rods are also threaded and extend through openings in the channel member 5 at the forward edge of the panel, being rigidly secured in position by means of lock nuts 22 and 23. The inner ends of the rods I d, beyond the nuts 20, may be supported by means of an angle clip 24 securedto the framework (not shown) of the panel. The pulley `I2 at the rear or trailing end the panel, as shown in Fig. 4issupported by a V-shaped bracket 25. secured .at its ends, asset 26, to the channel iron 6. The pulley is mounted in a frame I5, lIIS, similar to that alreadydescribed, which slides freely upon a pair of rods 2l, secured at their rear ends by nuts 28 to the bracket 25, and at their forward ends by nuts 29,

iron, the rods are provided with relatively long threaded portions 21, on which the frame I5, IB'may be longitudinally adjusted by means of the cross-piece I9 and nuts 20, a spring 2i being interposed between the cross-piece and frame, as

above described. Thus the vslidable cross-piece I9 and 'nuts 20 serve the purpose both of adlust-V ing the position of the pulley frame I5, I6 on the rods 21, so as to take up any slack in the cable I3. and also to regulate the tension on the spring 2|. It will thus be seen that the spring 2| at each end 'of the belt tends to maintain tension on' the belt. and tends to resist` movement of the pulley* frames toward each other.

Referring again to Fig. 5, it will be seen that the pulleys, such as II, extend transversely through the panel itself, at an acute'angle thereto, and 'theskin 1 of the' panel is cut away to provide a slot 1 through which the upper edge of the pulley may project so as to bring one run of the belt cable adjacent the outer surface of the p'aneLi In order to conceal this run of the belt cable, as

well as .the projecting edge of the pulley itself, 1

I provide a guard or shield II of the shape shown in Fig. 3. This shield is 'secured to the outer face ofthe panel at a point above tne pulley II, and extends Yentirely across the panel to the rear @das thereof. Its lower edge isdisposed between The- . to the cable ends.

the belt and the next adjacent panel. 'I'his not only conceals the belt cable and associated parts,

but also protects them from the weather. In i order tomore completely house the pulley II the shield 3l is preferably provided with a closed iront end, asindicated at 3I.

As above explained, each belt cable I3 is connected to the next adjacent panel. .This connection can conveniently be accomplished by means of the coupling device which must be employed 'to secure the ends of the belt cable together. A

one-piece coupling of any suitable type may be' employed if desired, but I have illustrated in Figs. l and 8, by way of example, a two-piece coupling comprising socket members 32 rand 33, secured The member 32' is provided with an eye, and the member 33 is bifurcatedand provided with a pair of aligned openings. When the two coupling members are assembled, a hol`= low rivet or sleeve 34 is passed through the aligned o nings and its ends flanged over, as shown in g. '1. Thus, the coupling members are permanentlyY secured together.

The above described coupling is anchored or connected to the panels by the following means.

Secured to each panel. by means of bolts 31 is a bracket 38 having a thickened central portion 38 through which passes a vertical opening. Seated upon the portion 38'is a removable block or spacing member 330i substantially 'the same lateral dimensions, "and the portion 38 and block 39 are provided with aligned openings through which a bolt 35 may pass, this bolt also passing through 36'. These are shown in Fig. 3 as secured to the outer side of panels 2,3 and 4. v

In practice, these brackets 36' would be secured to the panels adjacent their rear-edge, and

as a matter of fact, would be associated with the bracket 25. In Fig. 4, there is shown'a vertical plate 40, welded at its lower. edge to the bracket and having its end adjacent the panel anged over .and secured to the channel iron 6, as by means of bolts 4I. The bracket '36' is shown as mounted upon this plate 40,. by means of the bolts VSince the outermost or end :panel 4 carries no belt or pulleys, it is not necessary toequip it with a bracket of the 'type shown at 25--in Fig. 4. All that isrequired is a relatively small bracket, of any desired construction, of'sufiicient size to support the anchoring bracket 36'. In Figs. 1 and.2,

such a supporting bracket is conventionally illusltrated at 25'.

Referring again to Fig-4, it will 'be obvious that the anchoring bracket 36 there shown is not at- .tached to the cable I3 illustrated immediately the hollow rivet or sleeve 34 in the coupling. Thus the belt cable is lrmlyI anchored to the panel by means of the bolt 35 and bracket 36, as shown.

In practice, it is sometimes desirable toV dis-w,

connect the adjacent panels from each other sary to doto remove the bolt 35 from the sleeve 34 and bracket 36. This disconnects the belt cable from the anchoring bracket 36, but at the same time the coupling members areheld together by means of the sleeve 34, so that the continuity oi' the belt is not disturbed. In other words, the belt remains in its original condition but is simply detached from the anchoring bracket.

If a one-piece coupling is employed, it will simply be provided with an opening to receive the bolt 35, and the same advantages will result.

In either event, it will be noted thatwhen the beit 35 is removed, the incierta ceri also be lifted out. Elimination of thisblock provides ample Y clearance between-the coupling and .the bracket so that one panel may be operated independently of the others. In this event, all that it isfnecescable. I3 of panel I ,is anchored at 36 .to the wall of the building at one side of the panel, and at 35' .to the adjacent panel 2'at the other side of panel I.l Similarly, the belt of lpanel 2 is an# chored at 36 to panel I, and at 36 to panel 3. The belt of ,panel 3 is anchored at 36 to panel 2, and at 36'topanel4.

It will be understood that the panels are disposed in parallel, slightly offset, overlapping-relation, and that when force is applied to any one pan`el,.al1 ofthe panels move simultaneously; It' will also be `clearthat when the door ,is open, the several panels will be'positioned in fully l overlapped relation on the inside of the building A', with their front edges substantially aligned in a plane at right'angles to their path of move- ,so that it may freely pass.- and it also providesy clearance for the closed .end 3|e of the shield 3l to pass such bracket.

A swill be understood, it is necessary for the belt cable of each panel to'be connected lto the next adjacent panel on either side thereof. Thus.,

each belt must have two couplings,"one on each side of the panel, and each of the intermediate .l panels must have two anchoring brackets, one on each side. y

By reference ,te Fig. s it be seeninet eni' 2.' A similar bracket is secured to theside of the building A. adjacent thev panel I, by means of special bolts 311. Theseanchorlng brackets all .i AY`he the same .horizontal plane.

Thereisanother setofsimilarbracketsalso required. whicb,.for I have v 'choring brackets 33, such as aboveldescribed, are 'secured'to the inner surface of door panels I and ment. VWhen they are moved from this position toward closed position-each successive panel moves faster and further than the preceding one, in arithmetical progression. .Thus, panel- 2' moves twice as fast and twice as far as panel I, panel 3 moves three times as'fast and as far. and panel '4 moves four times as fast and as far as panel I, all of the panels reaching -their nal position at vthe same time.

While my improved door may be operated by hand,if noty too large,.I contemplate operating it by si'iitablel power driven means (not shown). j

'I'his may be applied to any of the panels, but preferably to-.panel 4. Y

When such poweroperated means is employed and applied to one panel, considerable strain is exerted on the belt cables 1 at the moment of starting and stopping. The sprlnss 2l. however, which exert a force tending to resiliently maintain the 4tension on thev cables. serve as cushions to absorb the shocks dueto sudden starting and .stopping of the driven panel, such shocks being due to thejmomentumor inertia l of the panels.

It wm be noted nieuwe of iiije'piiiieys on all panels lie in same honzontal plane andthst the shields, when viewed in eide eievetiomesehowninm. Leu

lie in substantially the same .straight line, thus providing a pleasing architectural detail.

What I claim, is:

1 'A sliding door comprising a plurality of upright, relatively movable panels, disposed in parallel, overlapping relation, pulleys mounted adjacent opposite edges of each panel, a ilexible belt running freely around the pulleys of each panel, and anchoring means connecting said belt with the next adjacent panel on either side, said pulleys lying in a plane disposed at a substantial acute angle to the plane of the panel, and the runs of the belt on opposite sides ofthe panel lying in different horizontal planes.

2. A sliding door comprising a plurality of upright, relatively movable panels, disposed in parallel, overlapping relation, pulleys mounted adjacent opposite edges of each panel, a exible belt running freely around the pulleys of each panel, and anchoring means connecting said belt with the next adjacent panel on either side, said pulleys lying in a plane inclined to the plane of the panel, whereby said pulleys have a diameter substantially greater than the thickness of the panel, while the runs of the belt are maintained relatively close to the sides of the panel.

`3. A sliding door comprising -a plurality of upright, relatively movable panels, disposed in parallel, overlapping relation, pulleys mounted adjacent opposite edges of each panel, a flexible belt running freely around the pulleys of each panel, said belt having a coupling therein, a bracket secured to the next adjacent panel, a removable bolt for anchoring said coupling to said bracket, a member for normally spacing said coupling from said bracket, and means whereby, when said bolt is removed to disconnect the parts, said spacing member may also be removed to provide additional clearance between said coupling and bracket.

4. Asliding door comprising a plurality of upright, relatively movable panels, disposed in parallel, overlapping relation, pulleys mounted adjacent opposite edges of each panel, a flexible belt runningfreely around the pulleys of each panel, and 'anchoring means connecting said belt with the next adjacent panel on either side, said pulleys lying in a plane disposed at an acute angle to the plane of the panel, and the centers of all pulleys on all of the panels lying in substantially the saine horizontal plane.

5. A sliding door comprising a plurality of upright, relatively movable panels, disposed in par allel, overlapping relation, pulleys mounted adjacent opposite edges of each panel, a ilexible belt running freely around 4the pulleys of each panel, said belt having a coupling therein, a bracketl comprising a fixed portion secured to the next adjacent panel, and having a removable portion interposed between said ixed portion and belt, and an anchoring -bolt passing through said coupling and both the fixed and removable portions of said bracket, whereby, when said bolt is taken out, the coupling is disconnected from the bracket and the removable portion may be removedthus aiording clearance between said coupling and fixed portion.

6. A sliding door comprising a plurality of upright, relatively movable panels, disposed in parallel, overlapping relation, pulleys mounted adjacent opposite edges of each panel, a flexible belt running freely around the pulleys of each panel, and anchoring means connecting said belt with the next adjacent panels on either side, said pulleys lying in a plane disposed at a substantial acute angle to the pla-ne of the panel and the runs of the belt on opposite sides of the panel lying in different horizontal planes, the pulley adjacent one edge of each panel being spaced inwardly from said edge, and extending transversely through the panelitself beyond lthe plane thereof on both sides.

7. A sliding door comprising a plurality of upright, relatively movable panels, disposed in parallel, overlapping relation, pulleys mounted adjacent opposite edges of each panel, a ilexible belt running freely around the pulleys of each panel, and anchoring means connecting said rbelt with the next adjacent panel on either side, said pulleys lying in a plane inclined to the plane of the panel, whereby said pulleys have a diameter substantially greater than the thickness of the panel, while the runs of the belt are maintained relatively close to the sides of the panel, and a shield overhanging and concealingv the runof the belt on at least one side of theI panel, the runs of the belt on the same side of all of the panels being-disposed at the same horizontal level, so that all of the shields on the same side of the panels, when viewed in side elevation, lie in a. substantially unbroken, straight line.

8. A sliding door comprising a plurality of upright, relatively movablel panels, disposed in parallel, overlapping relation, pulleys mounted yadjacent opposite edges of each panel, a iiexible belt running freely around the pulleys of each panel, and anchoring means connecting said belt with the next adjacent panel on either side, said pulleys lying in a planeinclined to the .plane Aof the panel, whereby said pulleys have a, diameter substantially greater than the thickness of the panel, while the runs of the belt are maintained relatively close to the sides of the panel,

and the runs of the belt on the same side of all y of the panels lying at the same horizontal level.

EUGENE W. GOODWIN. 

